Returning from Asia

20 days, 8 flights and 3 countries later, I am back in Frankfurt and it’s just the same as when I would return to London after a long holiday or time travelling abroad. “Fernweh” (literally translated as ‘far sickness’ in contrast to ‘heimweh’ which means ‘homesickness’) follows you no matter where you’ve settled in the world…I would love to be back on holiday. Hong Kong, Malaysia and Indonesia was a trip worth going on, and after having visited a total of 5 countries in Asia up until now, (I’ve also travelled Thailand and Vietnam) I can safely say that Hong Kong is my favourite city (SAR) in South East Asia.

Friendships

I met up with a good friend who currently lives in Hong Kong. Our 5th reunion after studying together in Germany (2011) was just as exciting as every other time and I was happy to visit her at home on the other side of the world. After first meeting each other 5 years ago, her English has improved heaps, but it still feels most natural to talk to each other in German.

Never been so smiley after a 16 hour flight

A group of us travelled from Europe to Hong Kong for a long weekend of good food, culture and partying in a city full of incredible architecture and hot hot hot temperatures. It was great to be surrounded by old faces! There were 8 of us, 7 who live or have lived abroad and 5 who speak at least one other language in addition to English. I love being surrounded by people with different cultures, experiences and languages! It was sad when we separated to go on to different parts of Asia, but we had a wicked time together and were ready for the next part of the adventure.

A Quick Stop in Kuala Lumpur

The Malaysian street food was the best I’ve ever had. I ate lots of fresh fish with sweet chilli sauces and plenty of rice and noodles. I love having street food as it’s not something we really do in Europe, and eating from plastic plates on a little plastic stool, whilst having your food ordered on an iPad is an interesting concept!

Street food marketMalaysian dumplings

The Petronas Towers were a must whilst we were in Kuala Lumpur. We were just a few of the tourists to buy a fish eye lens from the locals so that we could get a better snap.

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Under The Sea

Diving off a boat and getting lost in the deep blue paradise is one of my favourite things to do. The clear waters of the Gili islands surrounded by a back drop of green mountains was picturesque. I got lucky this time and saw a turtle and sea snake whilst snorkelling. Unfortunately, I don’t have an under water camera, but I’m sure these pics will give you a pretty good idea of what I’m talking about. I even took up a new sport on Kuta beach!

Hitting the waves at Kuta beachAbout to go under

Heading home but not “home-home”

Goodbyes are always sad, and since relocating I have been meeting friends for various weekends away in different European cities, but this goodbye was different. After 3 weeks of laughing, relaxing and spending quality time with close friends, it did feel a bit odd not to be getting back on a flight to Heathrow airport with the others.

I also don’t know when I will next see my friend who lives in Hong Kong again, as it’s not as simple as when we could easily meet up in Europe. But hey, maybe this means I will be returning to Asia sooner than I thought!

I had an amazing time away and although the jet lag is a killer, the rain isn’t particularly appealing and my mosquito bites are still itching, I am happy to be sleeping in my own bed again.